Introduction
Infertility may negatively impact sexual function. Women with fertility problems usually prioritize treatment for infertility, but their sexual function in each trimester of pregnancy is poorly researched.
Aim
To compare the sexual function and sexual healthcare needs of women who underwent successful in vitro fertilization (IVF group) and women who conceived naturally (CN group) during each trimester.
Methods
Longitudinal prospective cohort study was conducted from August 2016 to July 2018. The IVF group (n = 100) was recruited from a leading reproductive treatment center; the CN group (n = 100), at the prenatal clinic of a medical center in central Taiwan. Questionnaires were mailed to women in the 10th–11th gestational week; 70 women in the IVF group and 75 in the CN group completed all 3 questionnaires, during the 10th–11th, 20th–21st, and 30th–31st gestational weeks.
Main Outcome Measures
Female Sexual Function Index and Nursing Intervention on Sexual Healthcare needs were compared between groups in each trimester.
Results
Most participants reported sexual dysfunction concerns during pregnancy. In the first trimester, the Female Sexual Function Index score was significantly lower in the IVF group than in the CN group (18.13 ± 6.27 vs 20.34 ± 5.87, respectively; P < .05). Sexual healthcare needs at the permission level were significantly lower in the IVF group than in the CN group (10.78 ± 2.41 vs 11.79 ± 2.67, respectively; P < .05).
Conclusion
The IVF group had lower sexual function in the first trimester than the CN group. Sexual function improved in the second trimester in the IVF group but decreased throughout pregnancy in the CN group. The CN group had a greater need for sexual healthcare nursing intervention at the permission level than the IVF group.
